Early Intervention For Families Experiencing Homelessness: A Randomized Trial Comparing Two Parenting Programs

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Behavior Problem; Parenting
• Interventions: Behavioral: Parent Child Interaction Therapy; Behavioral: Child Parent Psychotherapy

• Registration Number: NCT04459845
• Lead Sponsor: Florida International University

Brief Summary

This study aims to compare the efficacy in delivering two evidence-based parenting programs to families and young children experiencing homelessness. Outcomes evaluated include feasibility, treatment completion, treatment satisfaction of delivery of interventions as well as child outcomes (e.g., behavior problems, trauma symptoms) and parenting outcomes (parenting stress and parenting skills).

Detailed Description

The number of homeless families in the U.S. has increased since the 1980s to over half a million as of 2018. Most troubling, in 2013 (the most recent year for which census data is available) one in every 30 children in the U.S., or 2.5 million, experienced homelessness. In addition to having disproportionally higher rates of unmet health needs (e.g., acute health problems, trauma-related injuries), children experiencing homelessness have staggering mental health needs such that 78% suffer from at least one mental health issue (e.g., depression, behavior problems) along with academic/developmental delays. Given that over half of all homeless children in the US are under the age of 6, it is particularly important to investigate the effectiveness of evidence-based parenting programs within a homeless population. This study aims to compare the efficacy in delivering two evidence-based parenting programs to families and young children experiencing homelessness.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2017-08-01
• Study First Submitted: 2020-06-18
• Study First Submitted QC: 2020-07-01
• Study First Posted: 2020-07-07
• Primary Completion: 2021-08-01
• Study Completion: 2021-08-01
• Status Verified: 2021-09
• Last Update Submitted: 2021-09-30
• Last Update Posted: 2021-10-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 144

Inclusion Criteria

• Any child between the ages of 2 and 5 and his/her mother who is currently homeless and living in the Lotus House shelter.

Exclusion Criteria

• Family is already involved in a parenting program or does not speak English or Spanish.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Parent Child Interaction Therapy	Parent Child Interaction Therapy	Parents and children will receive 12 weekly sessions of PCIT.
Child Parent Psychotherapy	Child Parent Psychotherapy	Parents and children will receive 12 weekly sessions of CPP

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Parenting Stress Index Short Form 4th edition (PSI-SF)	16 weeks after start of intervention	Change in overall level of parenting stress
The Dyadic Parent-Child Interaction Coding System	16 weeks after start of intervention	Change in positive and negative parenting skills observed during 5 minute child led play session
Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI)	16 weeks after start of intervention	Change in overall externalizing behavior problems
Child and Adolescent Trauma Screener (CATS)	16 weeks after start of intervention	Change in overall PTSD symptom severity

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Treatment Attendance	16 weeks after start of intervention	Percentage of families who completed the intervention
Therapy Attitude Inventory	16 weeks after start of intervention	Mothers' satisfaction with treatment

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Lotus House; 🇺🇸 Miami, Florida, United States